Missions - A Backpack of my Own
Backpacks needed for foster, adoptive, and kinship
families. The 2023 drop off dates will be July 22nd & 23rd, July 29th & 30th, August 5th & 6th, August 12th & 13th.
A Backpack of My Own
A Backpack of My Own is a local backpack drive that provides new backpacks, filled with school supplies, to children of all ages in foster, adoptive & kinship care in Larimer and Weld Counties. These children and teens are often in heartbreaking situations, at no fault of their own and come into foster care with nothing to call their own.
The mission of this program is to ensure foster children in Larimer and Weld Counties not only have the supplies they need to learn, but also feel supported and loved by their community. We want them to feel confident showing up to school this fall, knowing they have new backpacks and supplies, just like their peers.
To Donate a Fully Equipped Backpack:
- Pick an age group you want to fill a backpack or backpacks for. See the supply lists below for each age group. Print list here.
- Register to fill a backpack or give a financial donation by clicking here: https://timberlinechurch.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/2264/responses/new. All donations are tax deductible through Timberline Church. This helps us know how many backpacks to expect, and for which age group.
- Shop till you drop! If you’d like, choose a theme for your backpack(s).
- If you’d like, write a note of encouragement to the recipient to include in your backpack. Another fun idea that provides encouragement are affirmation cards. You could also write a couple encouraging scriptures on 3x5 cards. Recipients also love receiving drawings or notes from other children who helped fill the backpacks.
- Label your backpack “Elementary”, “Middle School”, “High School" or "CSU Fostering Success”.
- Bring the backpack to Timberline Church at 2908 S Timberline Rd, Fort Collins, CO 80525 during one of the following dates & times:
- Saturdays between July 22nd and August 12th, 2023 between 5:00pm - 6:30pm.
- Sundays between July 23rd and August 13th, 2023 between 8:30am and 12:30pm. If these dates don't work to drop them off. You can drop them off at our church offices during regular business hours.
- Timberline Church Windsor at 360 Crossroads Blvd, Windsor, CO 80550:
- Sundays between July 23rd and August 13th, 2023 between 8:30 am and 11:00 am.
To Fill Backpacks with Your Workplace, Sports Team or Other Groups:
- Follow the same process listed above. If you’d like tips or resources for group efforts, email [email protected]
Get the Kids in Your Life Involved:
This is not only a great opportunity to model generosity, compassion and love, but to also educate the children in your life about what the foster system is.
2023 Drop Off Dates:
Timberline Church at 2908 S Timberline Rd, Fort Collins, CO 80525
- Saturdays between July 22nd and August 12th, 2023 between 5:00pm - 6:30pm.
- Sundays between July 23rd and August 13th, 2023 between 8:30am and 12:30pm.
2023 Drop Off Dates for Windsor and Downtown Campus:
- Sundays between July 23rd and August 13th, 2023 between 8:30am and 11:00am.
“When you arrive at a home...everything there belongs to ‘someone’ ...THERE… NOTHING is just YOURS. It helps to arrive with some THINGS that are JUST yours. Sharing is great and a
must in learned behavior, but you got to have something before you can learn to share.”
-MANDY, in foster care for 6 years, adopted when she was 10 years old.
“Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these believers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it for me.” Matthew 25:40
We, as the body of Christ, can step in and meet this need!
Elementary Backpack Supply List:
- 1 Medium-sized Backpack
- 24 pack Crayons
- 1 pkg Markers - wide tipped
- 1 pkg Markers - thin tipped
- 1 pkg Colored Pencils
- 5 Glue Sticks
- 1 Elmer’s School Glue
- 24-48 #2 Pencils
- 2 Blue or Black Pens
- 2 Red Pens
- Yellow Highlighter
- 2 Spiral Notebooks - wide ruled
- 2 Composition Books - wide ruled
- 2 2-pocket folders - different colors
- Ruler - inches and metric
- 5” Scissors
- Pink Eraser
- 5x8 Schoolbox
Middle School Backpack Supply List:
- 1 Large Backpack (not Elementary size)
- 3 1-2” 3 Ring Binders
- 2 pkgs Loose Leaf Paper - college ruled
- 2 Composition Books
- 24 Pencils
- Blue Pen
- Black Pen
- 12 pack Makers
- 12 pack Colored Pencils
- Pencil Bag
- 3 2-Pocket Folders - 3 prong
- 2 Spiral Notebooks
- 1 pkg Divider Tabs - 8 tabs
- Highlighters - assorted colors
High School/CSU Backpack Supply List:
- 1 Large Backpack (not Elementary size)
- 3 1” 3 Ring Binders
- 1 pkg Loose Leaf Paper - college ruled
- 1 pkg Divider Tabs - 8-12 tabs
- 1 pkg Mechanical Pencils
- Blue and Black pens - 5 each
- 2 Spiral Notebooks
- 2 Composition Books (college ruled)
- 2 2-Pocket Folders - 3 prong
Extra Items Often Overlooked:
- Water Bottle
- Scientific Calculators (for high school students)
- Dry Erase Markers
- Graph Paper
- Black Sharpies
- Sticky Notes
- Tissues
- Ream of Paper
- Combo Lock
- Index Cards (lined & unlined)
- Hand Sanitizer
- Notes of encouragement or affirmation cards
Frequently Asked Questions
- CAN I BRING A PARTIALLY FILLED BACKPACK?
- No. We need backpacks filled with all items listed. However, you can donate funds instead here. Another good option is to partner with coworkers, friends, neighbors, a small group or sports team to fill a backpack together.
- IF I MAKE A FINANCIAL DONATION, IS IT TAX DEDUCTIBLE?
- Yes, through Timberline Church in Fort Collins.
- CAN I PROVIDE GENTLY USED BACKPACKS OR SUPPLIES?
- No. We ask that everything provided be new and unused.
- CAN I ENCLOSE A PERSONAL NOTE OR WORD OF ENCOURAGEMENT?
- Yes! The kids love reading notes from the people who filled their backpack. Another good way to show love for these children is to pray for the child who receives your backpack.
- IF I MISS THE DROP-OFF DATE WHAT SHOULD I DO?
- Please email us [email protected]
- WILL I BE TOLD WHO RECEIVES THE BACKPACK(S) I FILL?
- No. Due to the private nature of the foster care system, you won’t be given any information with regard to who receives your backpack.
- WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU RECEIVE MORE BACKPACKS THAN YOU NEED FOR A CERTAIN AGE GROUP?
- Backpacks are kept on hand to be given to children who come into foster care mid-year needing a backpack and supplies.
- WHICH AGE GROUP HAS THE GREATEST NEED?
- We typically have a greater need for middle school and high school backpacks than elementary age backpacks.
Backpacks and Supplies Go To…
Children from the following agencies will benefit:
- Foster, Adoptive, and Kinship Families of Larimer County
- Weld County Children’s Services
- CSU’s Fostering Success Program
Larimer and Weld County includes:
- Aristocrat Ranchettes
- Ault
- Berthoud
- Briggsdale
- Brighton
- Campion
- Dacono
- Eaton
- Erie
- Estes Park
- Evans
- Firestone
- Fort Collins
- Fort Lupton
- Frederick
- Garden City
- Gilcrest
- Greeley
- Grover
- Hudson
- Johnstown
- Keenesburg
- Kersey
- La Salle
- Laporte
- LaSalle
- Lochbuie
- Longmont
- Loveland
- Mead
- Milliken
- Northglenn
- Nunn
- Pierce
- Platteville
- Raymer
- Red Feather Lakes
- Severance
- Stoneham
- Thornton
- Timnath
- Wellington
- Windsor
2908 S Timberline Rd, Fort Collins, CO 80525 | (970) 482-4387
timberlinechurch.org/serve/local-outreach/ | [email protected]
facebook.com/timberlinechurch.missions